Climate-Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme beneficiaries in Dedza have commended the social protection initiative for empowering them with skills to restore depleted vegetative cover in the district.
They said this on Saturday during a pay parade in Mtakataka, Traditional Authority Kachindamoto in the district.
Galizio Lifeyo from Kabota Village said they made tree nurseries in preparation for the 2024/25 National Forestry Season.
She said: “Authorities told us the importance of planting trees. They said trees will reverse soil erosion, thereby enhancing soil fertility.
“For many years, we have not been able to realise bumper yields because our land lost top fertile soil.”
Lifeyo encouraged other community members, especially
the youth, to develop woodlots to grow trees.
“The future belongs to the youth; hence, the need for them to participate in projects that seek to conserve the environment,” she said.
Another participant Elenita Ausesiyo from Maliki Village said Dedza, which is known for its cold weather, is becoming hot in recent times.
She said: “I think the change in weather conditions has to do with deforestation. We need trees to keep the district’s cold weather pattern.
“Besides planting trees in communal places such as along river banks and depleted hills, I will also plant some in my garden.”
Dedza District Council Climate-Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme project facilitator Jocaster Khoriyo said the programme seeks to transform people’s lives through implementing interventions to conserve the environment.
The National Local Government Finance Committee is implementing the programme with funding from the World Bank and the Multi-Donor Trust Fund.
